The Market Monitor Digest (week 13/2025)
It's our pleasure to be your go-to for the week’s key industry news. Thanks to the information collected by the BONARD Market Monitor team, you can now keep your finger on the industry pulse.
International Education
US: US State Department lifts federal funding freeze
By The PIE News, Mar 27, 2025
US study abroad leaders have welcomed the resumption of federal funds as “incredibly encouraging progress”, with Alliance for International Exchange members having received over 85% of outstanding payments withheld for nearly two months.
Global: Three ways to support education agents in a shifting international education landscape
By The Koala News, Mar 27, 2025
74% of education agents have supported student applications to new destinations in the last two years (up from 63% in 2023) as interest in alternative destinations, such as Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and others, is surging. Agents say that the top decision-making factors for their students have shifted, and institutional reputation is no longer as much of a priority. Instead, how easy it is to secure a visa for a destination country, the cost to study and live there, and the work opportunities available to them both during their studies and post-graduation are their top concerns.
Brazil: Brazilian outbound market steady, despite currency challenges
By Study Travel, Mar 27, 2025
Unfavourable exchange rates have slowed the Brazilian outbound market, but study travel agents are optimistic of steady or growing business this year, although destination preferences may switch, StudyTravel Magazine was told at the recent ST Alphe Brazil 2025 conference.
Australia: Budget 2025 and international education
By The Koala News, Mar 26, 2025
The budget forecasts that the decline in NOM will continue to ease over the forward estimates, with arrivals expected to continue to decline this financial year, before stabilising in 2025-26. There was some hope within the international education sector that this budget would not be handed down, because with a budget comes the announcement about Net Overseas Migration (NOM). And and announcement about the NOM has the potential to put a greater spotlight on the already beleaguered sector in the lead up to the election.
UK, Wales: Welsh unis call for nuanced UK immigration strategy
By The PIE News, Mar 26, 2025
The UK's centralised salary threshold “doesn’t work” for Welsh universities, with stakeholders calling for more nuanced immigration strategies to promote international education across the UK’s devolved nations. Welsh universities have called for the government to have a greater recognition of regional demographic variations across the UK, as well as the need for a national education champion to promote Wales on the global stage.
China: Chinese students diversify overseas study to more BRI partner countries
By Global Times, Mar 25, 2025
Chinese students have diversified their destinations for overseas study to more Belt and Road partner countries and increasingly aligned their majors like STEM with domestic labor demand. "Students now pursue 'knowledge plus skills plus cultural competency,' not just diplomas".
New Zealand: Waikato welcomes record international and school-leaver cohorts in 2025
By University of Waikato, Mar 25, 2025
The University of Waikato has this year welcomed its largest-ever international and school-leaver student cohorts, and has seen overall EFTS growth of 14%, compared to the same time last year. This year's international student EFTS are 45% higher than their pre-pandemic equivalent (2019), with growth in enrolments of postgraduate students from a wide range of countries, particularly India, China, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Taiwan: Taiwanese universities drop 86 degree programs
By Taipei Times, Mar 25, 2025
Taiwanese universities this year canceled 86 programs, Ministry of Education data showed, with educators attributing the closures to the nation’s low birthrate as well as shifting trends. Many of the part-time programs for educators were no longer needed, as many teachers obtain a graduate degree before joining the workforce.
Australia & India: International education focus of Premier’s visit to India
By The Koala Times, Mar 24, 2025
In 2024, India was the largest source market of international students to South Australia for both international student enrolments and commencements, followed by China. Most enrolments from India were in higher education (8176), followed closely by vocational education and training (7968).
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